Exclusive Interview with Denita Conway, CEO of PROVEN Management: EY Winning Women 2024 Award, VIP Client Strategies & Why ‘Shine Time’ is Now

Denita R. Conway is the visionary President of PROVEN Management, LLC, and has recently joined the exclusive ranks of the 2024 EY Winning Women Award recipients. After founding PROVEN Management, Denita has consistently garnered national business awards for her transformative impact on real estate and facility management. Her innovative ideas and groundbreaking concepts have set new industry benchmarks, becoming the gold standard others strive to emulate.

As an adept leader, Denita moves between the worlds of her diverse VIP clients from all industries, and seamlessly navigates the elegance and complexity of celebrity red carpet lives, to the stringent protocols of political and governmental realms such as the White House, FBI, and GSA

In this exclusive interview with Lenox and Parker, Denita reveals her path to becoming an award-winning CEO, shares her insights on leadership, and explains why she fervently believes that continuous reinvestment in your business is the cornerstone of sustained success.

Denita, tell me all about PROVEN Management—what does your company do?

Denita Conway: PROVEN Management is a real estate and facility management firm specializing in project management, logistics, and space planning. We handle end-to-end solutions for both public and private sector high-profile and top earning clients, to ensure that their projects are executed with precision. We have project management, transition planning, interior design, and space planning experts on staff, so PROVEN can design, grow and specialize every kind of project with you.   And our leadership team is hands-on with every project, evaluating the quality and accuracy of our work and course-correcting if a challenge comes up. So our clients have high expectations for us to be reliable, responsive, and detail-oriented every single time they engage us and we welcome that, because we exceed expectations every time. Every project we touch is a success at the start and the goal is to maintain that success.

I know you’ve won the 2024 EY Entrepreneur of the Year award, and we will get to that, but first, can you share how you became an award-winning CEO?

Denita Conway: It’s been quite the journey! I started in corporate America, where I developed a passion for logistics and management. After years of honing my skills and navigating challenges as a Black woman in the industry, I took a leap of faith and founded PROVEN Management. It wasn’t easy, but I stayed committed to excellence and innovation. Surrounding myself with a talented, like-minded team was key, and together we’ve grown PROVEN into a recognized leader in our field. Winning awards isn’t the goal, but it’s certainly an affirmation of the hard work and perseverance it takes to build something great.

Tell us about some of the VIP clients you have served over the years. Can you name names, or just speak about categories—athletes, politicians, fellow CEOs, clergy, etc.?

Denita Conway: We’ve had the privilege of working with some of the world’s most notable agencies, including the White House, FBI, and GSA. These relationships require the highest level of discretion and professionalism. While I can’t always reveal names due to confidentiality, these clients span industries, from government officials to Fortune 500 CEOs. Our team excels at handling high-stakes projects for clients who demand excellence, and we take great pride in meeting those expectations.

What is the "EY Winning Women Class of 2024" award? Tell us all about it and how it feels to have won it.

Denita Conway: The "EY Winning Women Class of 2024" award, previously known as the Ernst & Young award, recognizes female entrepreneurs who are leading high-growth, innovative companies. This award honors women who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to advancing their industries while serving as role models for future generations of female leaders. To be included in this class is both humbling and empowering. It’s a testament to the hard work my team and I have put into building PROVEN into what it is today. The recognition isn’t just about me—it’s about elevating all women who are breaking barriers in industries where we are underrepresented. Winning this award is a milestone, but it also motivates me to keep pushing for greater success.

What’s next for PROVEN in 2025? Are there plans for expansion?

Denita Conway: Definitely! We are looking to expand into new markets, both nationally and internationally. Technology plays an increasingly important role in logistics, and we’re planning to introduce more tech-driven solutions to enhance the services we provide. The goal for 2025 is sustainable growth and to continue strengthening relationships with our clients and partners. We’re excited to take PROVEN to the next level.

What are some of the best lessons you’ve learned as a Black female CEO, from experience, that could never be taught, but you think are important for others to know?

Denita Conway: Resilience is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned. As a Black woman in business, you often face unique challenges, from access to capital to being underestimated. But those challenges force you to be more resourceful, adaptable, and persistent. Relationships are also critical—build and nurture them with integrity. Finally, stay authentic. Your unique perspective is valuable, and it’s what sets you apart. Don’t compromise on who you are for the sake of fitting into someone else’s expectations.

You mentioned now is the time to shine—can you elaborate on that and why reinvesting in your business is important?

Denita Conway: Now is the perfect time to shine because markets are evolving rapidly, and businesses that are proactive will come out on top. It’s crucial to reinvest in your business, whether through new technology, training, or expanding your team. Growth shouldn’t stop once you’ve achieved success; in fact, that’s when you need to push harder. Reinvesting ensures you stay ahead of the competition, continue innovating, and improve the quality of your service. Success means never becoming complacent—it’s about constantly finding ways to raise the bar.

Can you tell me your specific distinct differences in tackling the movement and logistics industry that other experts aren’t tackling or are unable to tackle?

Denita Conway: Our personalized approach sets us apart. We don’t offer cookie-cutter solutions. Every client has unique needs, and we tailor our strategies accordingly. Additionally, we’re proactive problem-solvers—we anticipate potential challenges before they arise and have contingency plans in place. Combining traditional logistics strategies with cutting-edge technology allows us to deliver results more efficiently and with greater precision. Our agility and adaptability are what set us apart from others in the industry.

Can you tell me about any of your philanthropic or give-back efforts?

Denita Conway: Giving back is a core value for me and PROVEN. Through my nonprofit, the Conway Foundation, I’m passionate about helping single moms reach their highest potential. We provide mentorship, leadership development, and resources to help them break into business and build sustainable careers. Building a legacy is important, and I’ve been fortunate to involve my two adult daughters in PROVEN’s success. Together, we’re working on leaving a lasting impact both through the business and our community efforts.

You can follow Denita Conway on Instagram at @thedenitaconway, and PROVEN Management on Instagram and LinkedIn at @PROVENmgmt. For more details, visit our website at www.provenmgmt.com.